Albumin functions as an inhibitor of T cell adhesion in vitro

Yu-Lee Kim1, Young-Jin Im, Yun-Kyung Lee

  • 1Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy and Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, San 30, Jang-Jun-dong, Geum-Jung-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.

Jurkat T cells were found to adhere to a tissue culture flask or cover glass when 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was withdrawn. However, the cells adhered to extracellular matrix, especially fibronectin, regardless of the presence of FBS. We hypothesized that a substance in FBS inhibits T cells' adherence. Through a purification and identification procedure performed on the substance, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was found to inhibit T cell adhesion. BSA, furthermore, inhibited the adhesion of human primary cultured T cells. These results suggest a novel function for albumin as a T cell adhesion inhibitor.

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